SHELTER Scotland will be on Channel Street in Galashiels on Thursday 20 January to step-up its Make Housing Matter campaign, which aims to push housing to the top of the Scottish political agenda in the run-up to this year’s national elections.

Murdo Mathison, campaigns and public affairs manager, at Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity, said:

“We want the people of Galashiels to back our Make Housing Matter campaign and share our demand that housing should play a central role in the forthcoming elections and, in doing so, show Scottish politicians that the housing crisis cannot be ignored.

“By investing in more affordable homes, retaining and refurbishing the houses we already have and encouraging owners of empty homes to bring them back onto the housing market, the Scottish Government can make a major difference to the nation’s chronic housing shortage.

“It is Shelter Scotland’s intention to ‘Make Housing Matter’ in this year’s elections and we urge the people of Galashiels to support our call for a continued and viable programme of investment in housing.”

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Notes to Editors:

1. Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity. Shelter Scotland believes that everyone should have a home. We help people find and keep a home. We campaign for decent housing for all.

2. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.

3. For more information about Shelter Scotland visit www.shelter.org.uk